Waaaaah....no rooms available onsite!!

[Sammy]

Just spent about 45 minutes with CRO trying every resort and code combination imaginable for an onsite room the second week in December. This was a last-minute decision on our part so we could see the Xmas decorations. The only rooms available....and even that was only for a day or two.....were way over our budget (ie: GF etc). I am so bummed!!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Sammy, did you try the Swan or Dolphin? When we decided to book our trip we were just about 64 days out--and there were no "Disney" hotels available. I was hoping to get a nice one at an AP rate (the GF is gorgeous this time of year). Last year I got the Poly concierge garden view for $229. Not this year! There wasn't anything reasonable for love, money or especially at a discount. I was able to get a teacher rate room at the Swan with no problem. Sure we can't charge to the room (and I think I don't get that "Zip a dee doo dah" I love so much on the TV) but we are still right in the thick of things at the BW area.
Robin M.
Swan 12/5-12/8

 

[Grumpy92]

Keep trying.
Suggested Tactics:

Call frequently. The closer it gets the more you should call.

Remember most people want their deposit back and the must do that five days befor their arrival.

Hang in there I am sure you will find something.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Actually, You do get the tip of the day at the Swan/Dolphin. The only things they don't have are Mickey soap, they use a wonderful oatmeal soap, the Mickey wake-up call, and charging back to your room from the parks. You can get points is you join the Starwood Preferred Guest program. We really enjoyed the Swan both times this year! Sometimes Dreams Unlimited can come up with rooms when none seem to be available. Good Luck!

 

[MJames41]

(I don't believe I'm actually suggesting this but) Another place to try is online. They have the new codes there as well. And keep trying. And keep trying.

Speaking of, I just tried for All Star Sports for December 7 through 15, and got quoted a rate of $492.80 (price includes tax - about $63 per day). I tried again for Wilderness Lodge and couldn't get all of those dates, but was offered Beach Club Concierge for $2,388.80 ($298.60 per day). Good luck.

 

[confal1]

Try expedia or travelocity. They sometimes have rooms when Disney says they are sold out. Good Luck.

 

[Sammy]

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! I will just keep trying CRO every day or so....even the CM I spoke with suggested that. She said the 45 day cancellation deadline for my week would be next Tuesday, so chances are there would be cancellations coming up.

I like the idea of the Swan/Dolphin....Epcot is my fave park. Can they fit 5 to a room? We are 2 adults and 3 kids under 12....

I guess another option would be (gasp!) offsite. The HIFS is running a B1G1 special. I really did not want to have to rent a car, though....

I'm sure something will work out. As my own dear Mom used to say, "If it's meant to be, it will happen..."

Sammy

 

[Glenn]

A couple of weeks ago when i tried to get the first wk in Dec everything was gone. Last week they opened the codes again and i got BWI for 12-9 to 12-17. I think that caused alot of rooms to be sold. Looks like the parks will NOT be empty in Dec. Keep calling and good luck. I did that about 4 yrs ago and it worked.

 

[4greatboys]

I got an Embrace the magic room thru Disney online. CRO rep said they showed no availibility and they are not able to book those room rates. I saw it at mousesavers.com and just clicked on Embrace the magic, took me right to the site.

 

[joyful1nh]

My brother faced the same problem for our November trip. We both called CRO every day with different combinations and finally got a room -- but then all of a sudden a package deal showed up on Expedia (that wasn't there the day before) and he booked it because the overall price was better....

USAirways.com has some package availability also -- if you don't already have passes this might be a way to get a room where you want.

Lessons Learned -- book early, but if you don't -- keep trying and there is a good chance you will find something.

 

[Dee & Greg]

They seem to be able to help everyone. Good Luck!
Today in the Indianapolis Star, they had codes for All Stars for $55/nite all through Dec. Would they really advertise if they were completely booked?

 

[Sammy]

Just an update........I called over the weekend and I was able to book 2 rooms at the AllStar Sports. Not my first choice because it is Pop Warner week and that's where they are all staying, BUT....at this point, beggars can't be choosers!! I will still keep trying to get POR, but at least we are able to get something onsite (and not break the bank doing so).

Thanks for your suggestions, everyone!

Sammy

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Well that's good news! Keep trying for POR though, I bet you'll get it!

 

[4greatboys]

Over the weekend they had POR rooms available for $85. Go to the mousesavers.com site ad click on embrace the magic.It will go to that page telling you about it and there is a link to disney with that disc. They had ASsports, POR, CR (tower I believe) and Boardwalk-concierge.

 

[Sammy]

Deena:

I swear I called CRO at least 2 separate times over the weekend to try for POR. I could not get any availability....at any cost, even rack! I went through disneyworld.com and the Mousesavers link....I was unable to get the whole week I wanted. I could only get one or two days. I'm not too worried yet...I still have time to check for cancellations!

Thanks!
Sammy

 

[adisneyfan2]

I called CRO about a month ago, & was told everything on-site was sold out... But hope springs eternal, so I tried again yesterday & we got an awesome deal at Dolphin for December -- about 1/3 of the best code rate I could get anywhere else. BUT we are five people, & had to get two rooms. (Dolphin = 4/room max) Res said Swan can accomodate 5/room, but all booked up. At the rate we got (nurse/teacher deal), it's still cheaper to have two deluxe view/balcony rooms than one room anywhere else! Also, I e-mailed Dreams Unlimited, & they came through with rooms at Cont & AKL (but too rich for our blood!) I've heard that DU will watch for codes & plug them in to lower your rate as they come available. Never tried it myself, but might be worth a try.

Good luck!!

 

[raelee]

Sammy-

Fort Wilderness Cabins might be an option for you for 5. They have a room with a double and a set of bunk beds, then down a hallway there is a kitchen, living/dining/sitting area and a pulldown double bed.

It is nice to have the kids in one room down the hall while you can sleep in another. Housekeeping is provided and the full kitchen was nice.

Also- you didn't mention your children's ages but they have a petting zoo, pony rides and a nightly campfire/movie/sing-a-long.

Lastly, you can take the boat to MK, then easily ride the monorail to other resorts/Epcot.

Anyway, for kicks and grins tried 12/8-13. Cabins had availability for $771 for the 5 days.

Steph

 

[MELSMICE]

Keep trying - I was once told that reservations "churn" at 10 p.m. in the evening, so anyone who had a reservation on hold but didn't make their deposit would lose it.

Occasionally they are open late, (although it's hit or miss) so try calling after 10 p.m. or call right at 7 a.m. when they open. I did this for months one year & finally got exactly what we wanted.

It's worth the time & effort put into the phone calls.

 

[dcedwards]

Keep in mind that one reason it seems so crowded is because Shades of Green is closed and using the North wing at the Contemporary...and they have over 2000 rooms at the CBR closed for rehab plus Disney Institute is also closed. That took a lot of rooms out of inventory so things are alot tighter. Many are saying the actual attendance in the parks will be about the same.

Anyways, there are two different cancellations to consider. The first is 45 days out and the 2nd is 5 days out. So, I would definitely keep trying. Things seem to open up as you get closer to the dates you want. I would also try the online sources as sometimes they will "acquire" rooms as tour companies/packages drop their "blocks" of rooms that they might have reserved and as Disney Cruise Line is unable to fill rooms for their packages. The moral of the story ... keep trying. I would bet something will open up at POR if you are persistent. Good luck.

 

[JulesMom]

Give Dreams Unlimited a try. Let them do all the calling for you! We used them for our last 3 trips and they were great!